By Tony Adibe
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Chapter, has appealed to the various security agencies in the state to rise to the challenge and tackle the escalating insecurity and kidnapping incidents in the Coal City state.
The appeal was contained in a communique raised at the end of the Union’s congress which was held on July 25, 2024, at the NUJ Press Centre, where various issues affecting the state and the welfare of its members were extensively discussed.
The Union specifically appealed to the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, and other security operatives to intensify efforts to curb the rising cases of kidnapping that have plagued the state in recent times.
The Union also commented on the situation of electricity, and demanded that Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) be more responsible in generating charges for consumers, especially with the new tariff band classifications.
The congress criticized the indiscriminate placement of customers in inappropriate categories that do not reflect their actual consumption.
The congress also called on the Enugu State Ministry of Environment to address the worsening erosion problems threatening lives and properties in the Trans Ekulu and New Layout areas, among other affected regions.
On traffic management concerns, the Union urged the state government to ensure that traffic officers focus on their primary duty of controlling traffic instead of harassing commuters at traffic lights.
The congress also commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission into law. It also called on the elected representatives to prioritize addressing longstanding issues in the Southeast region rather than pursuing personal gains.
The communique was drafted by a committee comprising Gideon Arinze of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nnenna Igwe of the FRCN Chapel, and Machie Jude of the Federal Information Chapel, and was signed by Dame Ifeoma Amuta, Secretary of the NUJ Enugu State Council.
